The action is part of his effort to reduce sentencing for nonviolent drug offenses.

In March, Obama commuted 61 sentences. But the administration says unfair sentencing needs to be addressed by Congress, not just throughthe president's actions.

On Thursday, the White House highlighted the stories of a few people who've received clemency in the past.

"There are a lot of women in prison that are there because of their association with a man, not necessarily that they were involved, but the knowing is what makes us guilty because we know that they're actually dealing drugs," clemency recipient Ramona Brant said in a White House video.